When and How to Re-Gift

Admit it. We’ve all done it at some point. And we’re going to keep doing it. So if you re-gift, here are some guidelines from gift expert Lisa Hammond, the founder of women’s catalogue Femail Creations. Hammond says there are a number of circumstances when re-gifting works well.

If you are bringing a gift that is unexpected or not required, like a hostess gift or a treat for a friend, a re-gift is appropriate.

If you do opt to re-gift, give the gift to someone in a different circle of friends. You don’t want everyone, especially the original giver, to know you are passing it along

Add a special touch or your own signature. “If you’re going to re-gift a frame, add a photo of you and the friend you are giving it to,” Hammond says.

You can also mix and match gifts to create a unique gift set. Pair a book you were given but already owned with a bracelet with the same theme or look, she says.

Finally, if you don’t do any of the above, then simply acknowledge that you are re-gifting. You can say, “I got this great bracelet, but it really doesn't fit me, and I knew you would love it."